Peter Thompson, ABC broadcaster and journalist, dies at 73
Long-time ABC radio and television presenter Peter Thompson, 73, died Friday in a Sydney hospital.
Thompson shaped Australian broadcasting across more than five decades. He started as a sports commentator on radio in 1970.
Then he moved through roles on Drivetime, AM and Radio National Breakfast. Peter Thompson was best known nationally for Talking Heads, a fireside chat show he hosted on ABC television from 2005 to 2010.
It was filmed in Brisbane and Adelaide. Beyond broadcasting, Thompson was a key figure in the 1979-1982 campaign to protect Tasmania's Franklin and Gordon Rivers from hydro-electric dams.
He earned a University of New South Wales Alumni Award for his conservation work. From 2006 onwards he taught public policy and executive communication at Macquarie University.
He also led a leadership consultancy.
- 1970
- Career start
- 2005-2010
- Talking Heads run
- 1979-1982
- Conservation campaign
- 73
- Death age
Why it mattersA generation of Australians knew Thompson as the measured, curious voice of ABC radio. They heard him during formative morning commutes and critical national conversations.
AustraliaAustralian broadcasting loses a figure who bridged journalism, conservation advocacy and public discourse across radio and television for over 50 years.
Corroborated byradioinfo.com.au·mediaweek.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 10 d ago
